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C1845
The Town and Part of the Harbour of Nelson in 1842…
Artist:
This expansive lithograph by John Waring Saxton offers a rare early view of Nelson, New Zealand, shortly after its founding in 1841. The composition presents a fledgling colonial settlement nestled between rolling hills and the harbor, with surveyors and settlers … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
The Town and Part of the Harbour of Nelson in 1842…
Date:
C1845
Artist:
Condition:
Three panels joined.
Technique:
Lithograph with original hand colouring.
Image Size:
1410mm
x 245mm
Paper Size:
1525mm
x 350mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1845
Description:
This expansive lithograph by John Waring Saxton offers a rare early view of Nelson, New Zealand, shortly after its founding in 1841. The composition presents a fledgling colonial settlement nestled between rolling hills and the harbor, with surveyors and settlers busily establishing infrastructure and cultivating the land. Carefully rendered with documentary precision, the work reflects the ideals and ambitions of early European colonization, emphasizing order, industry, and progress. Saxton’s depiction serves not only as a valuable historical record of Nelson’s development but also as a visual statement of the settler vision shaping Aotearoa in the mid-19th century.
From Edward Jerningham Wakefield, Illustrations to Adventure in New Zealand.
John Waring Saxton (1806 - 1866)
English-born journalist, editor, and newspaper proprietor whose career contributed significantly to the early development of colonial journalism in South Australia. Born in England in 1806, Saxton was educated in a milieu shaped by the intellectual and political currents of the early nineteenth century, including liberal reformism and the growing importance of the press as an instrument of civic discourse. Saxton emigrated to South Australia during the formative years of the colony, when its institutions and social fabric were still being shaped. Settling in Adelaide, he became associated with the early colonial press, at a time when newspapers served not only as vehicles of news but also as arenas for debate on governance, land policy, and the moral direction of the new settlement. He is best known for his role as editor of the South Australian Register, the colony’s principal newspaper and a key platform for public opinion and political advocacy. Under Saxton’s editorial influence, the Register maintained a reputation for integrity, measured argument, and an independent stance toward government authority—qualities that distinguished it from many contemporary colonial papers. His writing reflected a commitment to liberal values, the rule of law, and the advancement of public education and civic virtue. He was deeply engaged in questions of political reform, including the debates surrounding responsible government and the establishment of representative institutions in South Australia. Beyond journalism, Saxton was active in intellectual and civic circles, contributing to discussions on literature, science, and the moral responsibilities of colonial life. His editorial judgment and moderation earned him respect among settlers of varying political sympathies. John Waring Saxton died in 1866, leaving a legacy as one of South Australia’s early and most thoughtful newspaper editors. His work exemplified the role of the colonial press in fostering public discourse, social reform, and the intellectual independence of the young Australian colonies.
